Brain Death Scenario Andrea Farmer Grand Canyon University: HLT 520 July 8, 2015 As an administrator I would need to take into consideration the patient’s autonomy, autonomy is recognizing an individual’s right to make his/her own decisions about what is best for them regarding their health care (Pozgar, 2012). The patient’s rights always should be considered before any decisions are made by any other family members. In this scenario it is clear that the patient is unable to make any decisions, the patient has suffered a serious brain damage, and although it is not complete brain death, we must determine how to proceed. Unfortunately some of the family members have already began to express what the best course …show more content…
There is a greater risk from the physicians diagnosing death over the objections of the family and the attending physician than not diagnosing death without having the medical staff agree. Usually either patients or families have the legal rights to determine what medical course to take with the patient when it comes to the diagnosis of death, in this case the family's conflict needs be considered. The healthcare staff involved in the patient’s care must communicate with the family members during this difficult time. If the patient is determined to be dead, the family will need support from the health care staff that has been involved in the patients care, all available hospital resources, including medical, nursing, social work, ethics, and pastoral care will be a good resource for the family members. Lawyers will usually advise health care staff to work with the family in the most compassionate way possible, the lawyers should be there to help with any conflict between the family members, and this will also help the organization against any future malpractice suits against the health care staff and organization. Other actions that I would take is to discuss the patient scenario with the patient care committee, Pozgar states, “ The patient care committee reviews the quality of patient care rendered in the organization and makes recommendations for improvement of such care” (P.146). The
Depending on the context of how an individual resulted in a state where they were unable to transmit their feelings on if they want to decline or desire to prolong their existence and the connections others around them, should predict who has the power to make medical decisions on the one in question's behalf. In Schiavo's case, she had a medical emergency that resulted in her decline of being unable to communicate her end of life desires, considering her relationship with her loved ones, the closest individual with the highest understanding of her wants should have the authority over her
There are some ethical dilemmas evident in this scenario, starting with an End of life dilemma, refusal of care and informed consent.“End of
CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2008) provides guidance in dealing with cases like this by explaining the core nursing values and responsibilities involved which are: a) providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care; b) promoting health and well-being; c) promoting and respecting informed decision-making, and d) Preserving dignity; e) maintaining confidentiality, f) promoting justice and g) being accountable. The first nursing value is always expected to be upheld in any case because it is their duty to provide care using appropriate safety precautions and preventing/minimizing all forms of violence (CNA, 2008). The collaboration of the nurses between the physician and Mr. C’s family has been evident since then. This therefore calls Mr. C’s nurses to be more compassionate about his situation and try to recognize where he is coming from as they build a trust-worthy relationship before judging him or jumping into conclusions like he does not want to live anymore. Even if he decides to withdraw from these potentially life-sustaining treatments, health care providers are still obliged to give him the care he need the best way they can up until the end of his life. The second nursing value, just like the first one, still calls nurses to still aim to promote or at least maintain Mr. C’s health and well-being to the highest possible level regardless of the path he had chosen for his life. This can be achieved by continuing to collaborate well with other
Physicians assisting in suicide deaths are not productive in this area because some not trained in this field of expertise. Moll assert, doctors, are of little help. They have no training in how to discuss end-of-life issues with families and patients, so they avoid the conversation and call on other staff trained in this area. (88) Moll also points out, "people wants to be cared for, even if they do not want every possible procedure performed on them." (88) The best thing for people to do is discuss their end-of-life arrangements before major decision making is needed so the doctors, hospital staff and family members would not have to deal with the stress of this situation.
There might be a time when the patient would have to talk to the doctor about end-of-life concerns. It is important to include family members to this discussion. Have a complete understanding of treatment and finance, “find out about the benefits and burdens of
I chose to look at the above scenario using the Autonomy ethical principle. Autonomy principle says, “you should have the ability to act independently and make decisions for yourself” (Warnock, 2017). Using this approach If a patient has an advanced directive you would follow it because it is the patient’s chose written down in advanced. However, using this principle may violate some social laws or morals. Because, brain dead is the same thing as being dead, the person should be removed from life support (Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett, & Garrett. 2012, p. 260).
I enjoyed reading your DQ 1 post this week, and it is the patients right to choose, but only if they are deemed competent. They also have to respond willingly. It is also important to understand that telling patients the truth no matter what even if the patient is fatally ill is what is required out of a health care professional. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is considered the standard of care in the United States (U.S.). To preserve and enhance the patient's autonomy the Patient Self-determination Act was enacted. However, some might say that doctors responsibilities and family integrity are being set to the side ( ). But I think otherwise because it is our right to choose what we believe would be
There are many factors that play a role when caring for the seriously ill and the dying patient that can cause a patient to experience a good death or a bad death. According to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee, a good death is described as “one that is free from avoidable distress and suffering for patients, families, and caregivers; in general record with patients’ and families’ wishes; and reasonably consistent with clinical, cultural and ethical standards” (Lawhorne, 1999). However, a good death does not mean a perfect death or a problem free death, but is to respond to the patient physical needs, suffering, and to support the family that ensures a good death (Ferrell & Coyle, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to do a case analysis on the care of a patient who is facing death or has died. The Framework of a Good Death by Emanuel & Emanuel (1998) will also be incorporated into the case study analysis to evaluate whether a good death was achieved or not.
Communication as to end-of-life care within a critical care setting is discussed within this paper. Also examined will be the unexpected stress of a critically ill patient, the emotional impact the family must burden, and the utilization a family care conference to facilitate proper communication. Additionally, the first-hand experience of withdrawal of care that this author experienced during clinical is reviewed.
This is a subject is one that many people do not to talk or think about. However, it stares many people around the world in the face on a daily basis. It concerns determining when a loved one, who is on life support, is considered dead or alive despite the assisting machinery. In the majority of the cases, a person’s legal representative, usually a family member, is the one who make the choice whether to take a person off of life support. The doctor will give his or her recommendation and then it is up to the individual. There will always be opinions that contradict medical research regarding when a person is clinically dead. Removing someone from life support is no easy decision and no family member or medical person wants to make it.
It is also clear that while making these decisions, the decisions ought to be made based on informed consent (Werth and Crow 195). Sometime, the patient may be experiencing dementia, clinical depression or delirium for which they may be affecting the patient’s decision making capabilities (Werth and Crow 197, 198). If such a person is allowed to make their right-to-die decision, this may be done without the patient having comprehensive information before consent and thus should not be encouraged (Werth and Crow 198).
Spinal reflexes, including deep tendon, plantar flexion, and withdrawal reflexes, may remain. Recovery does not occur.” (Maise, “Brain Death – Neurologic Disorders.”) If the brain no longer functions and the only thing keeping a body alive is life support, the person in question is as good as dead. The hospital will file a report with the coroner’s office and the coroner will issue a certificate of death. Life support will only keep a body alive for so long; after brain death, life support functions as a controlled descent into body decomposition. The brain stem is what controls the most primal functions: heart rate, breathing, eating, and more. I researched and researched, but every website I came to told me the same thing: “Without the ventilator giving their body—especially their heart—oxygen, they would die.” (Gogarty, “Does Brain Dead Mean
There are four conditions that help in diagnosing brain death: (1) unreceptivity and unresponsiveness; (2) no movement or breathing; (3) no reflexes;
On the other hand, nurses not only help and support the patients but, when the patients are critically ill, also develop a better understanding about the disease process and this provides an opportunity which will help them to cope these situations in future more effectively. Nurses work with various other professions and this interprofessional collaboration helps them provide a care based on holistic approach, which is client centred and it helps to develop a better relation with the client as well as with client’s family. Providing end of life care, to competitive intensive care patients, require a good communication with patient, and family members. It also requires a better understanding of client needs because nurses are responsible to develop care plans for their patients and unlike ordinary patients; palliative patients have a different view of their life whether they are able to express their selves or not (Canadian nurses association, 2008). Regarding the participation of the patient in end-of-life decision making there had been various views of health care providers. A study was conducted in 1993 on various nurses and physicians related to their thoughts on providing care to palliative patients and it was found that five out of ten nurses went against their conscience in this decision (Solomon et al., 1993, p. 16). Most of the patients which are
During the past year, many health care workers have been worried when caring for patients at the end-of-life stage. Despite death is certain, it is a challenge to our society as well as to the medical services to withhold or stop resuscitation which is one of their responsibilities. Death remains as less pleasant topic and least talked about, but when our beloved one’s choice to die at home and order a DNR healthcare providers should respect and follow the patient and his/ her family last wishes especially if the patient condition is terminal and been through physical and emotional stress.